The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-10-06
THE SANE OLD ISSUES.
The sickening Taint of Eottenncss yyhicl
E,sr:neates the Renub;;cin PartY

The Sickening Taint of Eottenncss Which
Esr;neates the Republican Party.
L gard for the freedmen and tic
sOi;:itrs are two hobbies the Republi-
cans ride with persistency that is
we;i: some, and about the next move
they will ride it entirely out of them
selves. They see their support from
these TWO quarters gradually dropping
away from them, and why? Simply
because the war and the issues grow
ing out Of it ore settled, and whatever
may have been their importance in
their time they were distinctly Of that
time. are now 4 part OF the history OF
the country, and can not be reacted
amid the pressing demands OF new
and advanced generation. The SOL
dierS have won their victories, and
they turn from their deeds OF
valor in war to the not less heroic
conflicts of peace. The Republican par
ty does not own them, and while
grateful nation delights to honor them
and repay them so far rs it can the
loss of limb and health, it is wisdom
to behold that this comes from no one
party, and the promises of unlimited
pensions made these valiant and loyal
men. with hope TO win their political
support, is an insult to their patriot
ism and unworthy any party. The
granting of pensions has been on the
most broad and liberal basis. There
Is not 4 disabled veteran or one unable
comfortably to provide the means of
sustenance, whose disabilities are
properly the result OF his service, in all
this land who docs not receive Il PEN
sion or who could receive one on prop
er application. No one is willing to
pluck Il single leaf from the soldiers
crown. He should receive and does
receive all honor and all equitable
provisions for comfort, but there is 4
point were his own good citizenship
demands all this fuss about pensions
to stop. This Nation will never see
one of these deserving men suf-
fer, and they know it or should
know it, and in its desire to pro-
vide for the worthy, some undeserv-
ing pensioners are living on the
bounty of the Government. But poll
ticians see in the veteran army an
element and they must bid for its
support. The Iowa Republicans in
their platform have thrown open the
following plank, This Government.
saved from destruction and treason by
the patriotism and valor of the Union
soldiers, can not afford in justice or
honor to deal less than justly with
them. 1t should cordially and prompt-
ly bcstow, as an obligation of the Gov
ernment and not as charity, liberal
pensions to all disabled or dependent
soldiers, and to the dependent widows
and children of soldiers" This elastic
word liberal stands in pale contrast
to the demand for retrenchment and
reiv~m. But when we look upon all
such as this rs political dodge, meant
only to catch votes-a means resOrted
to over and over again with results so
we'll known, we find no cause for Won
der ut the threatened party dissolution.
There is no use for it, but it is sinking
through its own weakness, and if it re-
lies, rs it has done. on questions long
settled rs n means of gaining support
from a new generation, it will fail just
as surely as those issues are of the past.
Chicago Current (Ind.)